PAGASA: Nearing cyclone may make landfall Wednesday

An approaching tropical depression moved closer to Philippine territory Saturday, even as rain from an inter-tropical convergence zone threatens to trigger flash floods and landslides in parts of the country. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the cyclone, to be codenamed “Pedring" upon entering Philippine territory, may make landfall Wednesday. “Kung di siya magbago, ang forecast landfall pa niya sa northern Luzon ay sa Miyerkules ng umaga," PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the tropical depression may enter the Philippine area of responsibility within 24 to 48 hours. But this early, he said there are indications the cyclone’s outer spiral bands may be affecting parts of Visayas and Mindanao. As of early Saturday, Galang said the cyclone is estimated at 1,190 km east-northeast of the Visayas, with winds of 55 kph and moving west-northwest at 10 kph. Meanwhile, Galang said flash floods and landslides loom over parts of the country due to an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin said the ITCZ is affecting the entire country. “The whole country will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Northern and Central Luzon and the Eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," PAGASA said. — LBG, GMA News